RRHX
Station: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Michigan's Internet Railroad History Museum
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- Ypsilanti's first depot, built around 1838, was said to be a simple wood frame structure that sat south of the tracks in the vicinity of the present freight house. The structure was removed to make way for a new three-story brick structure which was completed in 1860. [MRF-6/1981]
- In 1910, a disastrous fire swept through the depot, destroying the entire third story which provided living quarters for the station agent and his family. Later that year, the depot was rebuilt into a one and 1/2 story configuration.
- Tragedy struck once again on August 10, 1939 when a westbound Michigan Central freight train derailed, causing further damage to the structure and yet another rebuilding. In the process, the depot lost its tower and baggage room vestibule, resulting in a rather spartan-appearing trackside facade.
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(Above) A 1900 photograph of the Michigan Central depot in Ypsilanti, in this postcard view taken by the Detroit Publishing Company. [Library of Congress Collection] (Below) The depot at Ypsilanti under Penn Central ownership in 1975. Over the years, the depot underwent a number of major changes, with the second floor and tower being removed. [Photo by Charlie Whipp] Below, an early postcard view of the area west of the Ypsilanti station, including the water tower and gardens. Ypsilanti's railroad gardens supplied flowers throughout the MC system. [Alan Loftis Collection] |
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